Jeremiah 49:1-6 – Try a little kindness

Jeremiah 49 contains God’s judgment on five surrounding countries that had been tormenting Israel in the course of their history. Firstly, towards the west were the Ammonites (verses 1-6). Secondly, towards the south, were the Edomites (verses 7-22). Thirdly, in the north, were the Arameans or Damascus (verses 23-27). Fourthly, in the far west were the Elamites (verses 34-39). Finally, we are told of the tribesmen of Kedar who were scattered here and there (verses 28-33). In this reflection, we shall look at Jeremiah’s message to the Ammonites recorded in verses 1-6.    

Who were the Ammonites? After the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot’s daughters wanted to ensure that their father would have descendants made him drunk and each took turns to have sexual relationships with him. Two sons were born to him out of those incestuous relationships. Their names were Moab, the son of the older daughter, and Ammon, the son of the younger daughter. The Moabites and the Ammonites were descendants of these two brothers. Hence, they were distant relatives of the Israelites. Remember Lot was the nephew of Abraham, and the Israelites were descendants of Abraham.  

In Jeremiah 48, we saw a long list of God’s judgments on the Moabites. Here in Jeremiah 49:1-6, God’s message of judgment came upon the Ammonites.  Here's a bit of history of what the Ammonites did to Israel.  While the Assyrians were attacking the Northern Kingdom of Israel described (2 Kings 17:6), the Ammon took the opportunity to seize the territory of Gad, a border tribe of Israel. Jeremiah 49:1 was referencing that seizure of the territory of Gad. Here the Ammonites were being chided for ignoring that they still had some blood relationship with the children of Israel. Verse 2 then warned them that they would be overtaken and Rabbah, their capital would be destroyed, and Israel would be repossessed what was theirs.

In verse 3, the people of Ammon were told to lament. For they would all be taken into captivity.  Malcam, Milcom, or Molech are all names of the national deity of the Ammonites. God said that their god and his priests, as well as the leaders of Ammon, would all come under judgment. Apparently, Ammon prided in the wealth that they had accumulated, and that had given them a sense of security. Here Jeremiah warned them that what they had would be enough to save them from the attack of the enemy. The terror they would be confronted with was from God. Jeremiah asserted that they would be taken into exile in a hurry. However, God said that their fortune would eventually be restored. What Jeremiah declared here came to pass. Ammon was conquered by Nebuchadnezzar shortly after they joined forces with the Assyrians and others to take on the Babylonians. Details can be found in Jeremiah 27:1-7.     

Though they were distantly related to Israel, the Ammonites never took that part of their history into consideration. They took advantage of their misfortunes and even join in tormenting God’s covenant people. It is bad enough not to do anything to help but to add to their trouble and misery was totally uncalled for. Here’s a Glen Campbell song to remind us to always do good, especially to those in the same household of God.

If you see your brother standing by the road
With a heavy load from the seeds he's sowed
And if you see your sister falling by the way
Just stop and say, you're going the wrong way
 
You got to try a little kindness
Yes show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness
Then you'll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets
 
Don't walk around the down and out
Lend a helping hand instead of doubt
And the kindness that you show every day
Will help someone along their way
 
You got to try a little kindness
Yes show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness
Then you'll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets